Ethiopian Spris Juice Recipe

Ingredient Highlights

Avocado: Often a surprising addition to a sweet drink, lends an incredible creaminess and richness that balances the other fruits beautifully. For the best results, choose avocados that are ripe but still firm, yielding slightly to gentle pressure.

Papaya: With its distinct tropical sweetness, forms the foundational layer; look for papayas with a reddish-orange skin and a slight give. If fresh papaya is hard to find, frozen papaya chunks can work in a pinch, though you might need to adjust the amount of ice.

Lime juice: Crucial for brightening all the flavors and preventing the smoothie from becoming overly sweet. Freshly squeezed lime juice is non-negotiable here – bottled lime juice simply won’t deliver the same vibrant zing.

See the full ingredient list in the recipe card below.

Equipment Needed

To achieve the perfectly smooth and distinct layers of Spris, a high-speed blender is your best friend. While a standard blender can work, a powerful one ensures each fruit mixture is silky smooth, which is essential for the layering technique. You’ll also want several separate cups or bowls to hold each blended fruit mixture before layering, and tall, clear drinking glasses to showcase the beautiful layers.

Step-by-Step Overview

Crafting Ethiopian Spris Juice is a delightful process, more akin to an art project than a typical smoothie. The key is to treat each fruit individually, blending them into their own smooth purées.

Start by blending the papaya with a precise amount of water, ice, sugar, and lime juice until it’s perfectly smooth – this usually takes about 3-4 minutes to ensure no fibrous bits remain. Once the papaya is done, pour it into a separate cup and give your blender a quick rinse.

Repeat this exact process for the avocados, then the mango, and finally the kiwi and strawberries. The goal is to create five distinct, vibrant fruit mixtures, each with its own unique color and flavor profile. This individual blending is crucial for the layering technique that follows.

The true artistry comes in the layering. Carefully spoon each fruit mixture into your serving glasses, starting with the densest fruit first – typically the papaya, followed by the avocado, then mango, and finally topping with the lighter strawberry and kiwi mixtures. The trick is to spoon slowly and gently, allowing each layer to settle before adding the next. This prevents the colors from mixing prematurely and creates those stunning, distinct stripes. It’s a bit like building a delicious, edible rainbow!

Storage & Reheating Tips

Ethiopian Spris Juice is best enjoyed immediately after preparation to fully appreciate its vibrant colors and fresh flavors. However, if you have any leftovers, you can store the individual fruit purées in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, give each purée a quick stir, then re-layer them into glasses. The layers might not be as perfectly defined as when freshly made, but the taste will still be fantastic. Reheating is not recommended for this fresh fruit beverage.

Variations & Substitutions

This Spris recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to experiment with other ripe, seasonal fruits like pineapple, banana, or even passion fruit for different flavor profiles. For a less sweet version, you can reduce the amount of sugar or omit it entirely if your fruits are very ripe. To add a touch of creaminess without avocado, a splash of coconut milk or a spoonful of plant-based yogurt could be blended into one of the layers. For an extra nutritional boost, a small handful of spinach can be blended with the kiwi layer – it will change the color but won’t affect the taste much!

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

While best fresh, you can blend the individual fruit purées up to 24 hours in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Layer just before serving.

What if my fruit isn’t ripe enough?

If your fruit is a bit firm, you might need to add a tiny bit more water during blending to achieve a smooth consistency.

Can I use frozen fruit?

Yes, you can use frozen fruit, but you may need to reduce the amount of ice in the recipe to achieve the right consistency.

How do I prevent the layers from mixing?

Spoon the fruit mixtures very slowly and gently into the glass, allowing each layer to settle before adding the next. Starting with the densest fruit helps.

Is this recipe good for kids?

Absolutely! Kids love the vibrant colors and sweet taste, making it a fun and healthy treat.

A Taste of Ethiopian Refreshment

In Ethiopia, Spris (pronounced “spreece”) is more than just a drink; it’s a beloved culinary experience, especially popular in juice houses found on nearly every street corner. My earliest memories of Spris involve bustling markets and the vibrant display of fresh fruits, knowing that soon I’d be sipping on one of these layered masterpieces. It’s a testament to the Ethiopian appreciation for fresh, natural ingredients and a simple yet elegant presentation. This drink embodies the warmth and hospitality of Ethiopian culture, offering a refreshing escape from the heat and a burst of pure, unadulterated fruit goodness. It’s a taste of home, a sip of sunshine, and a truly unique way to enjoy the bounty of nature.